In a recent post, we outlined how market trends and technological advances have caused the requirements of production asset management (PAM) and media asset management (MAM) systems to converge.

Production budgets are being squeezed, ways of working are becoming more complex, and global, remote teams face more challenges than ever when it comes to collaborating effectively. This is driving a need for better collaboration tools across media workflows, and thus an increased demand for agile MAM systems with production capabilities.

At Dalet, we’ve responded to this change with the development of Dalet Flex, the world’s first production-connected MAM.

So, what exactly is a production-connected MAM and how does it help foster collaboration for creative teams in real terms?

A MAM That Serves User Needs

At the heart of Dalet Flex is FlexMAM, the main interface that serves as the gateway to your organization’s media assets. FlexMAM makes it easy to upload, organize and review assets, search for and update metadata, begin editing, export edit decision lists (EDLs), and trigger workflows.
Unlike traditional asset management systems that categorize files by folders, FlexMAM adopts a flexible data model with customizable taxonomies. Robust filtering and search capabilities are built in, ensuring that asset search and retrieval is as intuitive as it is frictionless. This approach encourages team members to explore and use assets more efficiently.

Improved Collaboration from Import to Archive

The platform offers a suite of web-based applications designed to streamline every stage of a typical media workflow. In addition to FlexMAM our core applications encourage collaboration in the following ways:

• FlexMOVE simplifies the import process, allowing users to upload content from various sources directly into Dalet Flex, supporting every file type.
• Dalet Cut provides editing capabilities, enabling users to work on videos directly within the web interface, enhancing collaboration between editors and producers.
• FlexREVIEW facilitates the review and approval process, allowing teams to provide feedback and make decisions swiftly.
• FlexTRACK offers a real-time overview of workflows, ensuring everyone involved is up-to-date with the progress of projects.
• FlexXTEND allows access to media libraries directly from NLEs such as Adobe Premiere Pro, enabling remote production workflows.
• FlexMOBILE allows users to work from anywhere with an easy-to-use application available on Android and iOS devices.
• FlexADMIN allows users and administrators to manage users, groups and workspaces in an account.

These applications are fully web-based. This ensures accessibility from anywhere, improving collaboration across different locations and time zones.

In addition, the wider Dalet ecosystem consists of a selection of tools that streamline the wider technical video production process. High-density ingest and playout, media conversion, real-time multilayer graphics and augmentation through AI are all taken care of by our suite of complementary products.

How This Enables Collaboration Across Media Workflows in Practice

In the past, MAM systems were seen as tools to support content managers and archivists.
With a production-connected MAM, the lives of individual users across the media workflow are made easier. What’s more, team members reap the benefits of features that encourage collaboration.
This is especially important as modern studios and production teams utilize hybrid working and remote collaboration. It’s unrealistic to expect all relevant stakeholders to sit within the same building at the same time. Effective delegation, providing feedback, changing creative direction, editing on the fly and meeting tight deadlines – these are all tasks that have become more challenging in recent years as a result.

Luckily, production-connected MAMs boast cloud-native features that help to simplify and automate processes, bringing colleagues and collaborators closer together… even when they’re split across cities, countries and continents.

So, how does this is bear fruit in practice:

1- Easy access for multiple users

Video production and media management is a group effort and production projects can be fluid. Freelancers often need to be brought onto projects and given access to the right media, often without much lead time.

Within a production-connected MAM like Dalet Flex, project owners can easily grant access to multiple users and set permissions accordingly.

Users, groups and workspaces can be created quickly, at the touch of a button, and it’s easy to add or remove members to and from groups and workspaces at speed.

When personnel changes or user permissions need to be adjusted, having a MAM that is able to react in real time is crucial.

Who benefits: Producer, Director, Project Lead

2- Collaborative editing on the fly

Dalet Cut further enhances collaborative efforts by enabling teams to work together on editing processes.

As a lightning-fast multimedia editing tool with native access to the full media library, users of all video editing skill levels can quickly edit and publish content from anywhere. Anyone with a web browser can begin editing and assembling a project, which can then be seamlessly handed over to another editor.
Versions of edited files with different aspect ratios for all playout scenarios can be quickly created and distributed to multiple platforms directly from the edit suite.

For more involved edits, there’s frictionless connection between Dalet Cut and advanced NLEs such as Premiere Pro. This enables a smooth transition when projects need to cross from MAM to the editing suite. Dalet Xtend allows Premier Pro users to access the same collection of media and edit lists, making it extra easy to pick things up where they were left.

Who Benefits: Editor, Producer, VFX, Colorist, Finisher

3- Faster asset retrieval via advanced search

Locating assets by metadata allows users to find exactly what they need without the typical hassle associated with large libraries.

Moreover, Dalet Flex’s taxonomy-based structure, along with technical filters, affords the ability to refine searches by characteristics such as asset type, frame rate, language, and more. Need to find all clips shot in 4:3, in German, with owned rights, that feature… elephants? No problem.

There is also the functionality to save and share searches. If a user has a detailed search request that they frequently use, they no longer need to repetitively type it in and apply relevant filters. Instead, the process can be saved and repeated at the click of a button. This action can also be shared with other users.

Faster, more efficient retrieval helps create time for more creativity and collaboration at other stages of the workflow.

Who benefits: Archivist, Ingest Manager, QC, Legal, Producer, Editor, Sales

4- Better curated media through collections

Central to Dalet Flex is the creation and management of collections. These serve as repositories for organized production assets. Collections can include assets, clips, and sub-collections, with customizable access and metadata settings.

They help production teams to better curate the media they work with.

For instance, collections help to simplify the process of bringing together a selection of assets to be later used in editorial.

The collection can be shared with other users, either to send them the finalized content selection or help contribute to the curation process further.

Who benefits: Producer, Editor

5- Simplified workflow orchestration and automation

Dalet Flex’s Workflow Designer turns the process of building workflows into a frictionless, drag-and-drop experience. Users can visually map out a project’s flow using a variety of “ingredients” like actions, resources, and scripts. They can then select and arrange these elements to design a perfect workflow. This can either be launched into action immediately or saved as a draft for later refinement.

Workflows can run manually, or even more efficiently through automation. Project leads can select specific sets of business rules and metadata properties, enabling complex workflows to run automatically.

This type of orchestration helps to bring about greater collaboration. It enables the correct people to receive content or notifications at the right steps of the workflow, keeping everyone involved informed and in sync.

Who benefits: Everyone working across the project

6- Streamlined review and approval processes

Dalet Flex Review streamlines the feedback and approval processes.

Team members can comment directly on assets, providing clear and actionable time-coded feedback that can be exported straight into editing software. This can be done anywhere, at any time, as long as the user is connected to the internet, and comments can be searched for across the media library.

Advanced workflows can be set up to trigger certain actions based on review sessions. For example, if a copyright concern crops up, an email can be automatically triggered for Legal to review.

This helps bring the right team members into the production process efficiently – only looping them in when needed.

Who Benefits: Producer, Editor, Director, Legal, QC, VFX, Colorist, Finisher

7- Improved archiving through metadata management

Dalet Flex integrates AI technologies to enhance natural language and visual content processing. This allows for efficient and detailed metadata generation. Users can therefore search for assets based on what is contained within shot, as well as what features within various audio tracks.

This turns content discovery from a laborious chore into a task that is second nature. Teams are able to work more harmoniously when the content they require is within easy reach.

Who benefits: Archivist, Ingest Manager, QC, Producer, Editor, Sales

8- Advanced integration with other systems and platforms

Even with a MAM as comprehensive as Dalet Flex, third party apps, programs, and systems will still likely be used across the production process. Dalet Flex’s capability to integrate with external systems through APIs means that it can seamlessly fit into existing workflows, connecting with traffic systems, task management software, and more.

This integration capability, coupled with automation features, streamlines operations, reducing manual work and allowing teams to focus on creative tasks.

Who Benefits: Producer, Editor, Project Lead

Get Ready to Boost Your Own Media Workflow Collaboration

By centralizing asset management, streamlining approval processes, and enabling real-time collaboration, Dalet Flex empowers you to produce high-quality content faster and more efficiently than ever before. Whether you’re managing a small team or coordinating large-scale media production, Dalet Flex’s adaptable and intuitive platform is built to help teams work better together, at every stage of the production process.

If you’re keen to hear more information about Dalet’s production-connected MAM services or are looking to increase collaboration in your own media workflows, get in touch with a Dalet representative today.